České dráhy to Carry out Further Track System Renewal at the Prague South Maintenance Centre

The aim of the gradual renewal of the track system of the Prague South Maintenance Centre in Prague Michle is to replace the aging and worn-out tracks, switches, catenary lines and other equipment. The aim is to ensure long-term reliability of operation in the largest train maintenance centre in the Czech Republic. The renovation is a part of a large-scale modernisation of the entire facility, which serves for maintenance of both long-distance and regional trains.

“The Prague South Maintenance Centre is the most important place in the Czech Republic among those where we perform cleaning and maintenance of train sets. There are concentrates electric multiple units for the Prague Integrated Transport system, which accounts for about a quarter of all passenger transport, as well as trains for long-distance and international lines, including Pendolino and railjet train sets. New ComfortJet units will also be maintained there. Therefore, it is a priority for us to ensure reliable operation of the entire facility and its further development,” says Michal Kraus, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors and Deputy Director General of České dráhy for Servicing, adding: “In this context, we have proceeded with a gradual but very extensive renovation of the aging facilities and the modernisation and completion of the entire facility. In the upcoming years we want to invest more than CZK 5 billion there, which will ensure long-term reliability of operation and high-quality facilities for cleaning, maintenance and comprehensive servicing of dozens of new trainsets. The current renovation of the track of the middle group and the first stage of the renovation of the entrance group are thus the first pieces in the development strategy of the entire Prague South Maintenance Centre."

This year, the track and switches in the middle and departure groups are being renewed, and the first stage of the renovation of the entrance part of the track is underway as well. In the departure section, 8 switches were replaced this year at a cost of CZK 49 million. In the middle group, the renovation costs amount to CZK 164 million and the project includes a total of 23 switches and about 1,500 metres of track connections. The first stage of the renovation of the entrance group, which is underway now and is to be completed in November this year, will cost CZK 28 million and will involve the installation of 5 new switches. This year, the total renovation will amount to CZK 241 million, which includes a total of 36 switches and more than 1,500 metres of track. The S49 superstructure type will be used for the renewal in its current modern design with flexible rail fixing and concrete sleepers under the switches. This is a long-life superstructure ensuring long-term reliability and operational safety. The contractor of the renewal is the “Chládek a Tintěra Litoměřice” company.

Within the framework of the gradual renewal of the entire area of the Prague South Maintenance Centre, the lighting of the track will be renovated as well, which should contribute to higher safety and better security of the entire facility. Energy-saving lighting fixtures with LED technology will be installed there. The renovation work will also include the replacement of all external safety equipment, the replacement of all cabling systems, the renovation of the ageing overhead catenary line and modifications to enable the later conversion of the power supply system from 3 kV DC to 25 kV 50 Hz AC.

In the next few years, the renovation work will include the second stage of the renewal of the entrance group, the double-tracking of the departure from the Maintenance Centre to the Praha-Vršovice railway station, the renovation of the washing line, the comprehensive modernisation of the signalling equipment, the construction of a traction substation, the construction of new sanitary tracks and, above all, the construction of a new four-track hall for the maintenance of the ComfortJet units.

The Prague South Maintenance Centre is the largest train set maintenance facility in the Czech Republic. There are more than 45 kilometres of track, nearly 200 switches and almost 30 kilometres of overhead catenary lines. There are two large halls for train maintenance. For Pendolinos, railjets and other long-distance trains, there is a four-track hall with a track length of 356 metres. CityElefant units are maintained in a four-track hall with 115 metres of track. The facility also includes an additional two-track hall with a track scale and a track in-floor lathe. The Maintenance Centre also houses sanitary tracks intended for cleaning trains and equipped with technology for filling water and extracting waste tanks, as well as a dedicated railway vehicle washing facility.